Package



Au 3, 1948. L B, SMITH 2,446,308

PACKAGE Filed May 25, 1942 I 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Aug. 3,1948

UNITED A STATES PATENT OFFICE raoxacn Louis B. Smith, outage, inApplication May 25, 1942, Serial No. 444,321 4 Claims. (01. 22944) Myinvention relates generally to packages, and more particularly tocontainer supported by a. rigid outer carton.

An object of my invention is the provision of a fluid-tight packagehaving a convenient pouring spout and a support therefor.

Another object is to provide a package having an improved closure.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a package which maybe fabricated both easily and inexpensively from materials which arereadi ly accessible. g g

A further object is to facilitate the handling and storage of fluids,semi-fluids, freely flowing substances, and other materials by providinga package which may be filled and emptied easily,

and which occupies a minimum of space in relation to its cubic capacity.

Another object is to provide an improved package for frozen products.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

While my invention is described as embodied in a more or less pliablefluid-tight inner container supported by a rigid outer carton, it is ofcourse to be understood that my invention contemplates also the use ofthe inner container alone. Fur-' thermore, while the package embodied inmy invention is described for use with frozen fluids, it may be usedequally well with dairy products, petroleum products, grain andcereal-in fact with any substance that is relatively free flowing.

'In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my package showing the pouringoperation;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the various parts of the package,including the inner container, the protective liner, and the outercarton;

Fig, 3 is a side view of the inner container;

Fig. 4 is a. view of the spout of the inner container taken onthe line4-4 of Fig. 3; V

Fig. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the outer container showing howit is fastened together by means of staples;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the blank from the outer container is formed;

Fig. 7 is a. detailed view showing the inner and outer containersassembled prior to closing the package;

Fig. 8 is a detailed view similar to Fig. 7, showing the first step inclosing the package;

Fig. 9 is a detailed view further depicting the closing of the package;

Fig. 10 is a detailed view likewise showing a subsequentstep in closingthe package; and

which packages having an inner,

to permit it to be folded to a .the carton. Fig. 2 shows the Fig. 11 isa detailed view showing the package completely closed.

Referring to the drawings, the package is composed of an inner containeror bag i2 preferably made of a relatively thin and pliable fluid-tightmaterial of the type sold under the trademame "Heat Sealing Cellophane."This inner container, which may be formed from flat sheets or frommaterial in tubular form is heat-sealed or crimped at the lower end l4thereof to form a fluid-tight bag. The upper end of the bag is likewisesealed with the exception of a pouring spout It made integral with thecontainer and having its inner or open side sealed by means of the samecontinuous heat-sealed welt or seam i8 which closes the top of the bagl2. The spout l 6 extends considerably beyond the upper sealed end ofthe bag.

Although the inner container may be used alone, my invention preferablycontemplates its use with an outer supporting carton 22. This carton ismade of a relatively heavy cardboard so that the entire package will bebetter able to withstand the shocks and strains encountered in ship pingand handling. 4

The outer carton is similar in shape to the conventional packing box,with the exception of the upper closure thereof. As will be explained,the upper flaps of the carton 22 are constructed to form a support forthe spout 16 of the inner container [2. Referring to Fig. 6, it may beseen that the carton 22 has two pairs of lower flaps 24, 26, 28 and 3Bwhich form the bottom of the carton.

At the upper end or closure of the carton are two flaps 34, 36, havingreentrant portions 31, 38 respectively cut therein. The closure includesin addition an tinuation of the sides 40, 4| of the carton. It is thisangular flap which serves as a support for the pouring spout 16 (seeFig. 1). It is to be noted that the corner or apex 42 of the flap 39 isnot severed, as is the case with the other flaps 34, 36. Ifdesired, thecorner 42 may be reinforced to prevent its splitting or tearing as theresult of frequent folding of the flap 39. A diagonal crease 45 is madein the flap in order closed position. flap to a oin sides 40, 4| ofcarton completely This crease extends across the 46 at the upperjunction of the assembled.

As has heretofore been mentioned, my package may be used with fiuidswhich are to befrozen therein. In such instances, because of thelikelihood of condensation of moisture on the outangular flap 39 whichis a conside of the bag l2, it is advisable to use a linin ill (see Fig.2) within the outer carton. This lining may be made of corrugated paperor other absorbent material. It is further advisable where condensationof moisture within the carton is likely to occur, to employ staples 52rather than lue in assembling or fastening the carton.

Inasmuch as the inner container or bag l2 must of necessity bellyoutwardly when it is filled, it is desirable to make the bag l2 almosttwice the length and width of the outer carton 22 with which it is to beused. An ideal relationship in the size of the bag and carton is shownin a comparison of Fig. 3 with the carton in Fig. 2.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the complete package when ready for use iscomposed of the outer carton 22, the linin 50 and the bag l2. When thebag is placed within the carton, as shownin Fig. '7, it is contemplatedthat the spout IE will be placed adjacent the corner 42 of the flap 39.It is advisable to make the spout of such a length that it will extendslightly beyond the edge of the flap 39 when the bag I2 is entirelyfilled.

The operation and use of my package is as follows: After the bag i2 isplaced within the carton 22, the bag is filled with whatever substanceit is intended to hold. The filling of the bag may be easily and quicklyaccomplished simply by inserting a filling nozzle or hose (not shown)into the spout l6. After the bag l2 has been filled, the flap 34 of theouter carton is folded to the position shown in Fig. 8 where it willbear against the upper end of the lining 50. Next the flap 36 is foldedover the flap 34 and the two are stapled together, by means of a staple53 as illustrated in Fig. 9. It is to be noted that the corner 54 formedby the reentrant portions of the overlapping flaps 34, 36, is rounded.The package thus formed, and shown in Fig. 1, provides a novel anduseful container from which material can be easily poured. Inasmuch asthe flaps 34, 3B are stapled together, the bag I2 is thereby heldsecurely within the carton 22 wthout danger of becoming displaced duringthe pouring operation. It will be seen that the corner 42 of the flaps39 serves as a support upon which the flexible spout l6 rests while thecontents of the package are being poured. In the same manner, the corner42 likewise serves as a support for the spout during a fillingoperation. It is possible, although not necessary, to attach the spoutIE to the flap 39 more permanently by means of glue.

A further feature of my invention is found in the closure wherein theouter carton 22 acts upon and cooperates with the spout iii to seal thecontents of the bag l2 when the carton is closed and sealed. It may beseen in Fig. 10 that when the flap 39 is folded downward and inwardalong the diagonal crease 45, the inner side of the flap 39 is broughtto bear against the spout l6 whereby the spout is folded over andcompressed tightly against the flap 36, and is thereby sealed. When thebag 12 is used with fluids, it may be advisable to heat-seal the end iof the spout l6 before compressing it against the flap 36. On the otherhand, when the package is used with freely flowing solids, such as grainand the like, it will not be necessary to heat-seal the spout. Theclosure is completed by bending the remaining part of the flap 39 to theposition shown in Fig: 11, whereupon the entire package may be finallysealed with 4 gummed tape or by any other conventional means.

when my package is used with frozen fluids, it may be assembled andfilled at the point of origin with the fluid contents, then frozen, andshipped in a refrigeratedcondition. Upon reaching the consumer, thecontents are permitted to thaw, after which they may be easily poured.Should the consumer not wish to use the entire contents at one time, thepackage may be quickly sealed merely by closing the flaps over thespout, as described.

Because my package is rectangular in shape, it consumes a minimum ofspace in proportion to its cubic capacity. It has the additionaladvantage of being easily disposable, or it may be re-used, if desired.An additional advantage lies in the fact that the package can be shippedin great quantities in a knocked down condition and assembled at thepoint of use.

While I have described my invention in connectlon with a preferredembodiment thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatnumerous variations and modifications may be made from the structuredisclosed without departing from the underlying principles of myinvention. I therefore wish to include within the scope of the followingclaims all constructions by which substantially the results of myinvention may be obtained by substantially the same or equivalent means.

Having illustrated and explained typical embodiments of my invention,what I claim and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is asfollows:

1. A package comprising a flexible inner container having a spoutthereon, an outer reinforcing carton having a plurality of sides, aclosure for said package comprising a plurality of flaps hinged to thetop edge of adjacent sides of said carton, at least one of said flapshaving a reentrant portion therein through which said spout is adaptedto protrude, another of said flaps comprising an extension of at leasttwo of the side walls of said carton and forming an angular flap forsupporting said spout, said angular flap having a diagonal creasetherein extending from an edge thereof to an upper junction of two ofsaid side walls, said diagonal crease being adapted to permit inwardfolding of said angular flap, said angular flap being adapted tocompress said spout against one of said first mentioned flaps, therebysealing said inner container.

2. A package comprising a flexible inner container having a spoutthereon, an outer reinforcing carton having a plurality of sides, aclosure for said package comprising a plurality of flaps hinged to thetop edges of adjacent sides of the carton, one of said flaps comprisingan extension of two adjacent side walls of the carton and forming aunitary angular fiap when in open position for supporting said spout inthe trough formed at the junction of the two walls of the flap. anotherflap of the closure having a notch which is disposed adjacent saidjunction of the angular flap walls when said other flap is in closedposition, said notch being dimensioned to accommodate the spout andserving to retain it adjacent the trough of the angular flap, and saidangular flap being creased for collapse into closed position over saidother flap in a plane substantially perpendicular to the side walls ofthe carton.

3. A package comprising a flexible inner container having a spoutthereon, an outer reinforcing carton having a plurality of sides, aclosure for said package comprising a plurality of flaps hinged to thetop edges of adjacent sides of the carton, one of said flaps comprisingan extension of two adjacent side walls of the carton andof the angularflap walls, said opening being dimensioned to accommodate the spoutwhile dimensioned to accommodate the spout while said second flapsretain the main body of the inner container in the carton, said angularflap having said other flaps retain the main body of the inner containerin the carton, and said angular flap being creased for collapse intoclosed position over said other flaps in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the side walls of the carton.

4. A package comprising a flexible inner container having a spoutthereon, an outer reinforcing carton having a plurality of sides, aclosure for said package comprising a plurality of flaps hinged to thetop edges of adjacent sides of the carton, one of said flaps comprisingan extension of two adjacent side walls of the carton and forming aunitary angular flap when in open position for supporting said spout inthe trough formed at the junction of the two walls of the flap, theclosure including at least two other flaps extending respectively fromdifferent sides of the carton, folded one over the other in closedposition and secured together, the outlines of said flaps forming anopening adjacent said junction of the angular flap walls, said openingbeing a diagonal crease therein extending from an edge thereof to anupper junction of two of said side walls, said diagonal crease beingadapted to permit inward folding of said other flaps with the spoutcompressed between said other flaps and the angular flap, thus sealingthe inner container. 7

LOUIS B. SMITH.

. REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 717,674 Hafer Jan. 7, 1903925,535 Tyson June 22, 1909 1,092,148 Jones Apr. 7, 1914 1,833,675Geimer Nov. 24, 1931 2,089,483 Jaenicke Aug. 10, 1937 2,151,202 GuyerMar. 21, 1939 2,162,258 Hultin June 13, 1939 2,171,717 Vogt Sept. 5,19.39 2,189,174 Hohl Feb, 6, 1940 2,192,722 Vogt Mar. 5, 1940 2,216,527Weiss et a1.- Oct. 1, 1940 2,292,658 Palmer Aug, 11, 1942 2,293,182 VogtAug. 18, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS I Number Country Date 462,928 GreatBritain Mar. 18, 1937 605,183

angular flap over said France Feb. 13, 1926

